Malviya Nagar hotel fire kills 21, majority of victims foreign nationals; PM announces ex-gratia

A devastating fire at a guest house-cum-restaurant in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar claimed 21 lives on Wednesday, with police saying most of the victims were foreign nationals who had come to the capital for medical treatment. More than 40 people were rescued as firefighters and emergency teams worked through the day to evacuate those trapped inside.

The tragedy, one of the deadliest fire incidents reported in the capital in recent years, has triggered a multi-agency investigation into the cause of the blaze. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia assistance for the victims’ families, while the Delhi government and Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu’s office assured support and ordered a thorough probe.

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Police said information about the fire at Flourish Stay B&B in Malviya Nagar was received at 8.48 am, following which local police personnel, firefighters and disaster response teams rushed to the spot.

Majority of victims were foreign nationals

Addressing reporters, DCP (South) Anant Mittal said rescue and relief operations were launched immediately after the call was received.

“Today, at 08:48 AM, information was received regarding a fire at Flourish Stay B&B, Malviya Nagar. Local police staff immediately reached the spot and commenced rescue, evacuation and relief operations. The fire has been successfully extinguished with the assistance of eight fire tenders,” he said.

Mittal said more than 40 people had been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals.

“Through the coordinated efforts of Police, Fire Services and other emergency responders, more than 40 persons have been rescued and shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. It is with profound sorrow that 21 persons have been declared dead in this tragic incident,” he added.

Rescue and search operations were continuing till late evening, with officials saying all agencies remained deployed at the site.

PM announces compensation for victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

“The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.

The loss of lives due to a fire incident in Malviya Nagar, Delhi is tragic. My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 3, 2026

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000.

Delhi government, LG assure support

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said emergency response agencies were mobilised immediately after information about the incident was received.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the devastating fire incident in Malviya Nagar. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” she said.

Gupta said teams from Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Police, DDMA, CATS Ambulance Services and other agencies were engaged in rescue and relief operations and that the government was extending all necessary medical assistance to affected families.

Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the devastating fire incident in Malviya Nagar.

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and for strength & courage to all those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.…

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) June 3, 2026

Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also expressed grief and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and a detailed investigation.

“Deeply distressed by the tragic fire at a hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. My thoughts and condolences are with the families of the deceased,” he said.

Deeply distressed by the tragic fire at a hotel in Hauz Rani, Malviya Nagar. My thoughts and condolences are with the families of the deceased, and I join all in praying for the swift recovery of those injured. Police, civil and fire rescue teams are currently on-site conducting…

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) June 3, 2026

47 rescued, probe underway

BJP MLA Satish Upadhyay, whose constituency includes Malviya Nagar, said 47 people had been rescued from the building.

“There are 21 casualties and 47 people rescued so far,” he said, adding that several occupants were from Bangladesh and other SAARC countries who had come to Delhi for medical treatment and were staying at the facility.

He credited local residents, police personnel and firefighters for responding quickly and preventing an even larger tragedy.

Former AAP MLA Somnath Bharti, who also reached the spot, claimed the fire may have started due to a short circuit before spreading through the building. He demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and called for a detailed investigation.

Delhi: On the Malviya Nagar fire incident, AAP leader Somnath Bharti says, “The incident is very tragic. The casualty is huge. Around 20-25 people have been rescued. Many have lost their lives. Many local people were involved in the rescue. People from all sections are… pic.twitter.com/BlA0dICpO6

— IANS (@ians_india) June 3, 2026

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially established. Investigators are expected to look into whether fire safety norms were followed at the premises and what caused the blaze to spread so quickly through the building.